Sunday, May 21, 2006

Thanks to my semi-comatose state upon arrival home after my retreat, I didn't have much of an opportunity to journal about this Sunday's text. And my pastor gave such a great sermon today, about what a "command to love" really means -- he likened it to a computer command; not a punitive, "Do this or else" directive, but a kind of key to opening up a new way of seeing and being in the world -- that I really couldn't top that.

So what I'll do instead is share with you the Prayers of the Church that I wrote for today, when I assisted:

The Prayers of the Church

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs:

Holy and gracious God, who holds us in embrace, who counts us as friends and who calls us to love one another as you love us: This love is often hard for us to understand and to express. Help us see the world and the people in it through your eyes, through a lens of love, and live into that love by what we think and say and do.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all leaders of governments everywhere, and for all citizens everywhere, that in our respective roles we may make decisions for the common good, and especially for the poor, the dispossessed and all others in need.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the whole Church, everywhere it may be found, and especially for those attending our Synod Assembly, that the Body of Christ may truly reflect the love of Christ in its words and actions.

Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

We pray for all who find themselves in harm's way through war, want and oppression, and we pray for all those suffering from illness, disability or addiction, that your love may be made real and immediate for them.

Lord in your mercy,hear our prayer.

We pray for our loved ones, whoever and whereever they may be, and for our households and circles of friends, that those may be places where your love is found.

Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

We now lift up to you in love persons and situations close to our hearts, naming them aloud or in our hearts...

Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.